Respiratory alkalosis

Under a respiratory alkalosis is defined as a by breathing ( respiratory ) caused increases in blood pH above 7.43 ( alkalosis).

Causes

Due to over-stimulation of the respiratory center to much a inhaled and exhaled ( hyperventilation) and thus too much carbon dioxide is exhaled. The CO2 partial pressure in the alveoli and in the ( arterial ) blood drops from it, as there is a shift of the buffer equilibrium CO2 H2O ⇆ H2CO3 ⇆ H HCO3- to the left and thus to the " consumption " of H ( acid) comes.

To a hyperventilation often occurs by psychological influences ( esp. in women at puberty to young adulthood in specific stressful situations ), but also, for example, at high altitude, because of the lower oxygen partial pressure is balanced by an increased respiratory minute volume.

Risk

When ( respiratory ) alkalosis can lead to muscle cramps, get so-called Hyperventilationstetanien. This can lead to unconsciousness.

Therapy

In psychologically induced hyperventilation often helps to calm the person and to keep a deliberate (slower) breathing. If this fails, the effect of rebreathing into a bag, a bag or other vessel can be reduced. If necessary, the hands ( relatively ineffective ) can be used. Due to the rebreathing of exhaled CO2 rich air the patient can receive the CO2 again, the pH stabilized and the symptoms go back. In severe cases, the patient must be sedated with midazolam, for example, or Valium.